No, it’s not an Aussie outfit. This enduring Peranakan favourite has relocated from the East Coast to fabulous new digs next to the Substation. The two-storey shophouse (private dining rooms are upstairs) is stuffed with Peranakan antiques. The menu introduces some new items like fluffy omelettes with wild pepper leaves. The standards – such as the creamy rendang, lightly spiced banana flower salad, and fragrantly tender chap chye – are superbly done, though a little expensive for the small portions.
Transport
Nearby Stations: City Hall
Telephone 6440 0449
Main courses from $16.00 to $25.00
Open Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-9.30pm.
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i've never paid $13++ for a bottle of water which was opened out of sight and tastes, in my opinion, exactly like tap water. until this restaurant. don't be deceived by the seemingly affordable prices on the menu because you will get a shock when you get the bill and found out that the little niceties you ASSUMED were complimentary are in fact- rice: $2++ per diner tea: $3++ per diner prawn crackers: $4++ per basket ... and when you ask for water to wash the spiciness down (and, in my opinion, the food is very spicy)... water: $13++ per "bottle" AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Posted on Sat 26 May 2012 22:41:28
too dull - one plate ok, one bad and then lots of unasked for extras which all appeared on the bill. Really not good and then compounded by the manager getting aggressive. Very unlike Singapore.
Posted on Wed 28 Dec 2011 18:29:51
dear to the four who dined on mon 27 dec'10. Please....the boss is not so free to entertain such rude and rowdy customers who used profanities against the boss.
Re:terribly similar as in? Maybe what you should say I'm just a regular customer who cant stand such typical Singaporeans, right? I don't have to revisit my English :)
Maybe... what you claim that im the boss who posted such comments are offensive...please dont go to a posh restaurant....if you just cant bear to part some of your money...hmmm...maybe you should stay at home to cook..that would be way cheaper....and it can save trouble making such a fuss over takeaway for 2dollars per box?
Posted on Fri 31 Dec 2010 01:09:55
The food and atmosphere at True Blue was great and varied. My friends commented on how the Peranakan food was authentic. The vegetarian dishes were a standout - Pomelo Salad, Okra sidedish. The portions were a bit small and charging $1 for tap water is outrageous.
Our waiters were attentive during our meal. We had at least three people serving our table. However, we did wait 20+ minutes for our bill. Typical for Singapore unfortunately.
We will return again. Great introduction to Peranakan food.
Posted on Thu 30 Dec 2010 12:15:16
Dear commenter -
Perhaps you should look at your own commentary before writing such a crass response. Maybe you should revisit your own language?
Could it be that you have disguised yourself under an anonymous alias and are in fact the owner attempting to defend himself? The language used is terribly similar.
Please read the commentaries before attempting to make such statement. Maybe you should revisit the definition of what fine dining is? Have you been to fine dining establishments? In fact, it need not be a "fine dining" restaurant. A good restaurant need not make money on such "trivial matters". The quality of the food should be the enough to sustain the place.
Posted on Tue 28 Dec 2010 10:10:08
erm.....what is called FINE DINING? Are you illiterate? Or dumb? If what you claim that the boss is rude? How is he possible to continue his business for 7years? Most of the guests are fine with their management until your family starts to make an uproar over those little money for takeaway? Maybe you should not eat this restaurant here...instead find someone who can sponsor such luxury for not charging any takeaway....what i can suggest your family is to go to a fine hawker centre to eat cos they charge you 50 cents per box. It is cheaper that way and maybe i would recommend you idiots not to dine outside. By the way, if what you claimed that benjamin seck is rude and arrogant that would result his downfall, maybe you should look at your children instead. Hey, the father who tried to argue with the boss, please dont spoil your mood over such trivial matter....maybe i should call ur family typical family members coming in a posh restaurant....
Posted on Tue 28 Dec 2010 00:28:08
I completely agree with Joanna's comments on this restaurant's owner.
It's been 2 years since her post and this chef/owner has not changed his ways. He is aggressive and rude when talking to diners.
We had quite a lot of leftovers and wanted to take it home to avoid food wastage. The waiters had cleared the dishes and brought it to the kitchen to pack.
Ten minutes later, another waiter returns and informs us there is a charge to pack up our leftovers.
This was the first time we were informed of their restaurant's "unique policy to discourage diners to take food home with them". They wanted to charge $2 per container, regardless of the size of the container. As they had already begun packing the food, they were willing to "do us a favour" by not charging us for one of the small sauce container which they had already filled. When dealing with this situation, Benjamin condescendingly informed us that if we were not happy with this arrangement, he would unpack the food from the container and re-arrange it back onto the plates for us to decide how we would like to deal with the food. Thanks, but no thanks.!
Regardless of the quality, quantity, or price of the food, the dining experience was most definitely ruined by the foul attitude of this chef/owner (Benjamin Seck). If anything, he will be the sole reason for their downfall.
We will never return to this restaurant, and similar to Joanna, will never advise any of our friends to dine at his establishments.
Posted on Mon 27 Dec 2010 14:25:07
After reading all the fantastic raving reviews about TRUE BLUE, I brought 3 out-of-town guests for lunch last Saturday. In summary, we had an extremely disappointing, overpriced and completely unpleasant experience. The dishes were clearly mass-produced earlier in the day and dished out in small overpriced portions. EVERYTHING is charged for, including each glass of plain tap ice water! Absolutely ridiculous - it's like they're trying to squeeze every possible penny out of their customers. As for the ayam goreng, it was dry and tasteless and when we requested for some chicken thigh/leg meat instead of all breast meat, the owner/chef (Benjamin Seck) was grossly obnoxious, rude and unpleasant in dealing with our request, which was ultimately completely ignored anyway. I will NEVER go back to True Blue again and I will be sure to advise all of my friends from going there. It is a terrible reflection of authentic Peranakan cuisine and worst of all, a disgustingly rude and arrogant chef-owner to top it off. A true disgrace to singapore restaurants and what customer service is all about.
Posted on Mon 18 Aug 2008 09:01:11
My first time visting True Blue on the 25 July during lunch was a unique one. The Banana Flower Salad was refreshing and it tast so yummy. Never tasted anything like this... I love the Beef Redang and the Prawn in Pineapple Soup. Staff was friendly and last but not least I get quality not quantity dishes. Impressive..
Posted on Sat 26 Jul 2008 11:07:21